Burning Man

When I mentioned I went to Burning Man I got a lot of “What’s it all about?” questions. Honestly, even with the passed few weeks to mull it over, I’m still not sure how to respond.

Burning Man, in general, is a huge group of people in the middle of the desert in Nevada. It is about self-expression and self-reliance. It is up to you to bring everything you need to survive. Wait, no, let me rephrase that. You need to bring everything you need to survive….in the middle of a steaming hot desert dust storm with no running water, electricity, etc.

Admittedly, this was one of the most exhausting trips I’ve ever been on. We faced high desert heat, porta-potties, baby wipe showers, rat nest hair, constant noise, little sleep…. it was a challenge.

But I knew it would be a challenge going into it and that’s why I did it. To show myself I could. If you would have asked me two years ago, one year ago, hell maybe even 6 months ago, if I would go to Burning Man, I would have told you no.

Something is changing inside me. Slowly. But surely. Something is changing, growing, exploring, learning. And all I had to do was let it.

By our last day of Burning Man, I was ready to go home. I was drained, and physically sick from the dry dusty air in my little allergic asthmatic lungs. We waited the whole day, counting the hours until the burning ceremony, anxious to see the burn and get on the road to home.

Once the five of us got to the ceremony site….I felt different. As the burn started, the emotions in the air felt different. I felt a release. I felt liberated. I felt so close to the people I came with. In just that one moment, it all made sense. After five days of “where the hell am I?”….I understood.

This video J put together of our trip completely brings me back to that moment. It almost has me feeling….like maybe I’d go back. Maybe.

Burning Man was unlike anything I had ever seen or experienced before. The people, the art cars, the structures, I mean…blew my MIND. There is nothing like it and it really is indescribable. So you should probably go to see what it’s all about. ;]

Since your mention of Burning Man I had been going over the idea in my head of how interesting that must be. At the idea of baby wipe showers…I was sort of lost to the cause lol.

The video gives it such a magical presence. I love anything that associates so much self expression and freedom. and kudos to you for being so brave and pushing yourself. You’re possibly the only person who could manage to look adorable under those conditions!

SOOOOOOO great! My brother is one of the planners for Burning Man and this year he had a baby in LA during that week and was sad he couldn’t go. So excited to show him this video to see what he missed. If you ever go again, let me know. The kids and I might go in a few years and discover it together. So amazing! – Heather Saunders